Thomas A. Henry
Experience
Tom Henry is a partner in the Environment, Land Use and Natural Resources group
specializing in mining and oil and gas matters. As a California mining attorney, Tom's
practice involves permitting, environmental review under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), as well as resolving other land use, title and regulatory
compliance issues. Tom's oil and gas experience involves title review, as well as land
use, permitting and CEQA issues related to oil and gas development and production.
Tom also advises clients as to California's AB 32 emissions reporting and Cap and Trade
Program. Before practicing law, Tom served as a U.S. Army officer on active duty from
1982-1987.
Before joining Stoel Rives, Tom was a partner with Downey Brand LLP in Sacramento.
Representative Work
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Represents mining, development and oil companies and other commercial and
industrial project proponents on issues of CEQA compliance.
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Represents oil and gas companies in CEQA litigation, local agency oil and gas
ordinances, title opinions, permitting issues and leases.
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Partner
Sacramento, CA
(916) 319-4667 direct
(916) 447-4781 fax
thomas.henry@stoel.com
Represents mining companies regarding environmental due diligence for mine
acquisitions.
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Represents mining companies regarding California's pit backfill requirements.
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Represents mining companies in complying with the California Surface Mining and
Reclamation Act and federal mining laws, including obtaining approval of mining
Education

University of California, Davis, School
of Law, J.D., 1998

University of Texas, Austin, B.B.A.,
1982
permits and reclamation plans.
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Represents developers, vineyards and mining companies in complying with
California lake and streambed alteration requirements under Section 1602,
including negotiating streambed alteration agreements.
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Represents developers and mining companies in obtaining Clean Water Act
Section 404 permits for fill activities.

Represents developers and vineyards in obtaining Clean Water Act Section 401
water quality certifications from State and Regional Water Quality Control
Boards, including drafting appeals of water quality certification determinations.
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Represents mining companies in determining vested rights status.

Represents private project proponents in litigation regarding CEQA compliance
and design review.
Professional Honors and Activities
Admissions
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California
Thomas A. Henry

Listed in Best Lawyers in America© (currently: Oil & Gas Law), 2012-2016
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Member, California Independent Petroleum Association
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Member, Sacramento Petroleum Association
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Member, California Construction and Industrial Materials Association

Member, Environmental Law Section, Sacramento County Bar Association
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Member, Environmental Law Section, State Bar of California
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Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
Presentations
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Presenter, “What California’s New Groundwater Management Requirements Mean For You,” Chevron Corporation, Bakersfield,
California, June 7, 2016

Presenter, “The California Supreme Court: Reforming CEQA from the Bench,” 2016 Real Property Law Section Retreat,
Monterey, California, May 21, 2016

Presenter, “Integrating the AB 32 Cap and Trade Program into Your GHG Permitting Strategy,” CalCIMA Education Conference,
Monterey, California, Nov. 18, 2015

Co-Presenter, “Surface Water Diversions Under F&G Code Section 1602 - The Landscape has Changed,” Stoel Rives Water Law
Webinar, July 28, 2015

Presenter, “Challenges Associated with California’s Pit Backfill Requirements,” State Mining and Geology Board mee ting,
Sacramento, California, June 11, 2015

Co-Presenter, “Title Issues in Mine Leasing and Acquisitions and Their Potential Impacts on Permitting and Operations,” CalCIMA
Education Conference, San Diego, California, Nov. 4, 2014

Co-Presenter, “Review of the ‘Typical’ California Oil & Gas Lease,” 32nd Annual West Coast Landmen’s Institute, Las Vegas,
Nevada, Oct. 23, 2014

Co-Presenter, “California SB 4 Compliance Update: Practical and Legal Implications of the DOGGR Interim Regulations for
Operators in 2014,” Stoel Rives Webinar, Mar. 13, 2014

"Getting Ready for SB 4: California's New Well Stimulation Permitting Law," Stoel Rives Seminar, Bakersfield, California, Dec. 11,
2013
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"The Not So Good, the Bad and the Ugly - What Every Landman Needs to Know About Community Leases" (presenter), 31st
Annual West Coast Landmen's Institute, Sept. 2013

"Strategies for Complying with California's Cap & Trade Program," Kern County Bar Association, Bakersfield, California, Dec.
2012
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"Oil and Gas Exploration and Production of Private Lands in California," Infocast California Oil Summit, Long Beach, California,
Dec. 2012
Thomas A. Henry

"How to Use a Title Opinion," 30th Annual West Coast Landmen's Institute, Dana Point, California, Sept. 2012

"Off or On? Examining OMR's AB 3098 Listing Procedures," California Construction and Industrial Materials Association Annual
Education Conference, Monterey, California, Oct. 2011
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"CEQA -- Its Role In and Effect On the Permitting Process," 29th Annual West Coast Landmen's Institute, Santa Barbara,
California, Sept. 2011
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"Regulatory Trends in California," Industrial Mineral Association-North America Annual Meeting & National Industrial Sand
Association 75th Anniversary Celebration, The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort and Spa, Sonoma, California, Sept. 2011

"Resolving Conflicts Between Oil and Gas and Renewable Energy Development," Bakersfield Association of Petroleum Landmen,
Jan. 18, 2011
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"AB 32 and SB 97: California's Laws Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change and Their Related Impacts on
Project Timelines and Permitting," 28th Annual West Coast Land Institute, Shell Beach, California, Sept. 23, 2010

PITFALL - "Landman Harry's Adventure in California's Land Use Jungle," Bakersfield Association of Petroleum Landmen, Nov. 17,
2009
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"National Environmental Policy Act" and "Wetlands Regulations," Lorman Education Services, Zoning and Land Use in California,
2005
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"2004 Mining Law Update," American Association of Professional Landmen, 2005
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"2003 Mining Law Update," American Association of Professional Landmen, 2004
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"2002 Mining Law Update," American Association of Professional Landmen, 2003
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"Streambed Alteration Agreements and Notifications," Construction Materials Association Conference, 2003
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"How to Avoid a Prop. 65 Lawsuit," Construction Materials Association of California Operators Conference for the Construction
Materials Industry, 1999
Publications
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"Calif. Seems Set To Solve Split On Oil Rail Shipments," Law360, Feb. 4, 2015

"A Compliance Handbook for SB 4 - California's Well Stimulation Permitting Law" Third Edition and "SB 4 Compliance Flowchart,"
(co-author), Stoel Rives LLP, July 2015

"California's Cap and Trade Program under AB 32 – a Primer" (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP December 2012
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"State Supreme Court Sets Environmental Baseline" (coauthor), The Daily Journal, Apr. 1, 2010
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"2000 Year in Review" (coauthor), Public Lands Section, American Bar Association
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"1999 Year in Review" (coauthor), Public Lands Section, American Bar Association